Five students from Florida State University (FSU) who are members of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society have received national awards from the organization.
Eddie Fordham, a student in interdisciplinary social sciences; Joanna Godfrey, a studio art student; and Lauryn Klostreich, who studies American politics and policy, each received the Phi Kappa Phi Pioneer Award. The award is given to 50 students nationwide, each receiving $1,000 for achievements in research, leadership, and community engagement. FSU tied with Fordham University for having the most Pioneer Award recipients from a single institution this year.
“I don’t think it was one specific service that led to this recognition, but a culmination of everything I’ve pushed myself to do,” Klostreich said. “The Pioneer Award feels like recognition for how far I’ve come.”
Connor Krassel, a biology student, and Shrikant Fulari, a doctoral candidate in civil engineering, were recipients of the Phi Kappa Phi Love of Learning Award. This award is given to 155 students nationally and provides $1,000 each to support post-baccalaureate professional development. Krassel plans to use the award to help with medical school expenses. Fulari will use his award to attend the International Conference on Advances in Geographic Information Systems in Minneapolis.
“Being selected for the Love of Learning Award is a significant honor that validates my dedication to academic excellence, innovative research and service to the professional community,” Fulari said.
Krassel also co-founded the New Horizons Network alongside Hayley Schermer. The nonprofit provides free workshops in Tallahassee to assist unemployed community members with resume building, job applications, and interview preparation.
Phi Kappa Phi extends membership by invitation only to top-performing students: the top 7.5% of juniors, top 10% of seniors, and top 10% of graduate or professional students within their programs. The society has about 100,000 active members across 300 chapters nationwide. The FSU chapter marks its 100th year in 2025.
Recent graduate Shaheed Perez was awarded the Marcus L. Urann Fellowship by Phi Kappa Phi. The fellowship provides $15,000 for Perez’s Ph.D. studies in theoretical physics at the University of California, Irvine.
“Membership in Phi Kappa Phi is more than a line on a resume. It is an opportunity to engage with fellow scholars at FSU and beyond,” said Allison Peters, chapter president and assistant dean for retention and engagement in the Division of Undergraduate Studies. “We encourage members to join us at chapter events and to seek awards that further their future professional and academic goals.”
For more information about Phi Kappa Phi at FSU visit undergrad.fsu.edu. Details about national award opportunities can be found at phikappaphi.org/grants-awards.
